Choosing the Doctor

I like Doctor Who for many reasons; it’s one of the most creative “ideas” out there (a space and time traveling time lord?), it’s always got a fresh new angle, it replaces its entire cast on a regular basis to keep things interesting, and… as a believer, the parallels between the Doctor and elements of...

The Christian Mythology of Beauty & the Beast

I have much to say about the new Beauty & the Beast, but the thing that most struck me was a conversation between Belle and Mrs. Potts, where Belle implies the curse “isn’t fair,” because the servants in the castle “didn’t do anything” to deserve punishment. Mrs. Potts implies they do deserve punishment, for “we...

Ben-Hur: A Metaphor of the Christian Life

Jesus was a strange dude. He wasn’t what anyone expected or even wanted at the time. He arrived in a turbulent time in history, when the Judean nation was under Roman occupation. The Jews expected a savior like King David, a sword in hand, to liberate them from their enemies. What they got instead was...

The Dollhouse Culture

I remember when this show premiered on Fox. I sat through two seasons, enraptured. Joss Whedon brought an unusual, ethically disturbing concept to the airwaves—an elite organization who provides programmable humans for a fee. The “dolls” are whatever you require, dominatrix or assassin. They agree to a five-year contract and memory wipe. On the surface,...

The Flash: Memories of an Idealized Self

I’ve always found it impossible to watch superhero stories without finding symbolic, mythological archetypes. Heroism vs. evil, overcoming adversity, and a “little” man attaining superhuman abilities and using them toward good ends speaks to audiences on a multitude of levels. It resonates with inner truths, our moral centers, as well as speaks to our distant,...

The Tunnel: Life Inside the Bubble

Recently, I discussed sin with a friend and whether or not Christians can “choose” not to sin… to achieve a life without sin, despite living in a sinful world, by becoming one with Christ. I argued that this is difficult, because our decision may be “not sinful” on our end, but still have broader, sinful...

Alexei Karenin: Divine Love Vs. Religion

Watching Anna Karenina (the 2000 miniseries) is always a mistake. I get caught up in over-thinking Anna’s husband and ponder nothing else for days. I could run in all directions with it, but I'll cut you a break and choose one. Nothing kills godliness more than religion. One is a transforming heart experience that brings...

How Art Changed History

Henry VII had a problem. He had just taken the throne from Richard III, one of the “sons of York,” and faced uprisings. What did he do? Employ art, of course! Medieval imagery combined history, religion, philosophy, and astrology into dualistic themes intended to cement an agenda. It was common for writers of the period...

Crimson Peak: Divine Love In Spite of Imperfection

  Tonight, as I finished listening to the director’s commentary for Crimson Peak, Del Toro struck me with one of his statements: “imperfection is an altogether attainable human goal,” and “love is acceptance of imperfections.” The reason that line stood out to me, amid all the others, is that this year for Lent, I chose...